The Benefits of Protective Coatings

Protective coatings are universally applicable in a variety of different uses, regardless of their context, as there are a myriad of benefits that are related to factors including the environmental and elemental stress that all materials are subject to.

Here at Shirley Industrial Painters and Decorators Limited, we have over 40 years of experience in providing protective coatings to a whole host of different clients, which places us perfectly to run you through the benefits of protective coatings below.

Weather Protection

The weather is one of the largest concerns when fabricating a structure since it’s unpredictable, and the different types of weather can affect different materials in different ways.

For example, protective coatings can protect steel from the weather, which is a persistent issue for any steel structures. Steel is susceptible to corrosion, which leads to rust and compromises the integrity of the material, and this corrosion is caused by heat, salt buildup (from de-icing roads, for example) and rain – especially acid rain, which accelerates the detriment of moisture further with the acidity reacting with the metal.

A perfect analogy for the benefits of coatings protecting against the weather is that, you would wear a coat to protect from the cold in the winter, and you would wear sunscreen as protection from the UV rays of the sun in the heat of the summer: the need to protect your personal well-being runs parallel to the importance of protecting materials from the weather.

Fire Resistance

Nature can be unforgiving, and fire is one of the most devastating aspects of nature. Fire-resistant coatings are imperative to providing a level of protection against fire, and are required to comply with industry standards set by the FAA in order to ensure their competence.

Along with providing protection from fire, these coatings – often – also provide further benefits, which can include corrosion resistance. Some of the most common examples of fire-resistant coatings are within aeroplane interiors, and for fire-rescue vehicles.

Hygiene

An often overlooked benefit of protective coatings is the fact that some have been designed to be resistant to ecological influence. For example, hospitals and laboratories often implement coatings that are resistant to bacteria and biological growth, being EPA-approved as a barrier against bacteria, mildew and mould.

An Unsung Hero

Effectively, the fact of the matter is the protective coatings are exponentially useful and utilised in almost every setting fathomable – despite it not always being immediately obvious. Protective coatings have been designed to withstand the heavy-duty use of their host material, as well as the force of nature itself.

If you’d like to hear more about the protective coatings we provide here at Shirley Industrial Painters and Decorators Limited, then please get in touch. You can call us on 03333 660 408 or fill out our online contact form.